I’m a former Champions League winner – fans tried to kill me by throwing a cement-covered chair at me

FORMER Champions League winner Santiago Canizares claims fans once tried to kill him by throwing a cement-covered chair at him.

The former Real Madrid and Valencia goalkeeper opened up over life between the sticks following Thibaut Courtois’ clash with Atletico fans in Sunday’s derby.

The Belgian, formerly of Atletico and Chelsea, was enemy No1 at the Wanda Metropolitano as Real Madrid secured a 1-1 draw.

But Courtois was ruthlessly targeted by Atleti ultras throughout the game, with some evenhurling lighters and other objects at him.

Late on in the match, the pelting became so much that the game was halted for a period of time as fans were ordered to calm down.

And Canizares recalls facing issues of his own while protecting his net.

One moment even saw fans rip up a concrete chair before hurling it at the now-54-year-old.

And Canizares reckons Courtois’ treatment was nowhere near as bad, while also pointing out that the Real stopper also made a gesture to provoke Atletico’s fans.

Speaking to Radio Marca, he said: “In my time, goalies were treated very badly. I was a goalie who was treated much worse than any doorman today.

“One day, they threw a seat at me which they tore up with the cement rubble. If it had hit me, it would have killed me.

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“A worker went out and removed it. This is attempted murder. The goalie was not protected.”

Reflecting on Courtois, Canizares added: “He didn’t do well the other day, but that is an ethical and moral situation that is very different from making Courtois a victim of throwing objects.

“Let’s not deflect, whoever doesn’t behave should go out on the street.

“Courtois is the first to gesticulate and what he does enriches football because it has a component of passion.”

Canizares’ fine career saw him start off with Real Madrid.

But before he kicked a ball for the club, he enjoyed loans at Elche, Merida and Celta.

Canizares then got his big break with Los Blancos in 1994 as their No2 stopper, winning two titles in the process.

But in the 1997/98 season he made 34 appearances and went on to win the Champions League.

It proved to be his final year at Real through, with Valencia moving for him.

Canizares remained with them for a decade as he clocked up 416 games.

And he retired in 2008 with a further two LaLiga titles, while also losing two Champions League finals.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk